Michelle Obama's 50th: 'Such a fun, fun party'

Beyoncé performs for Michelle Obama at the White House and brings Jay-Z and Blue Ivy along for the party.

Beyoncé performs for Michelle Obama at the White House and brings Jay-Z and Blue Ivy along for the party.

Katherine SkibaTribune reporter

WASHINGTON — Beyonce and Stevie Wonder rocked the White House at a star-studded, late-night dance party celebrating first lady Michelle Obama's 50th birthday, two guests told the Tribune on Sunday.

President Barack Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha joined family friends, elected officials, entertainers, athletes, business executives and big donors at the gala, which kicked off Saturday and lasted until the wee hours Sunday morning, the sources said.

The event was closed to the press, and the White House did not release a guest list or any other details. But two guests spoke to the Tribune on condition of anonymity, describing a bash at which a deejay kept people on the dance floor in the East Room until after 3 a.m. Washington time.

The president, who was spotted with a martini glass, spoke about his Chicago-born wife at the gala, saying she was great mother and wife and that she had made him a better man, the sources said. His mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, also turned out, they said.

The guest of honor wore a flowing red blouse and pants and was often dancing, the sources said.

The East Room was loaded with dancers and “most people were in there dancing all night long,” one source said. The music was a mix of rhythm and blues and contemporary club music, the source said.

The first lady “seemed very comfortable and happy. Very celebratory,” said the other source. “It was such a fun, fun party.”

Singer John Legend sang the happy birthday song to Michelle Obama, according to the sources.

They said Beyonce, who is a close friend of the Obamas, sang hits including “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)“ and “Irreplaceable,” and Wonder gave a more impromptu performance that included “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” and “Do I Do.”